WAF Momma: What do I register for?!

Update: I have went through this post and changed/added/removed things based on what we’ve actually used in the first 6 weeks. All changes are in bolded italics for your convenience. 

I don’t know about you, but registering for our wedding was a blast! We loved sitting down with a fat glass of wine and picking out things we wanted to own as a married couple. Now, tack 15lbs onto your weight, pop one of your ribs out of place, make sure you have a sore back and of course lose that nice, fat glass of wine…you’re ready to build a registry for your baby 😂

I know, I know…I’m being dramatic. But, truthfully, registering for a baby was really overwhelming for me. I had to research almost every item, mostly because there are so many variations of everything I had no clue what I actually needed to keep this kid alive! **Cue WAFs from around the world to the rescue**

One of the first things I did, and would highly recommend to any new mom-to-be, is reach out to friends/family that have recently had a baby. I remember early on calling my Mom and asking her what I needed and she laughed at me because so many things had changed in the 25+ years since she was responsible for a newborn. Her advice was to reach out to my cousins and friends that had littles and start there. Fortunately for me, I also have this amazing network of WAF women that have not only done the Mom thing, but have done it despite the wrenches the military throws our way. SO, this registry list is compiled from my own research, but mostly recommendations from other WAFs out there that have done it. My plan is to come back to this post and provide updates after our little cherub arrives and touch on personal pros/cons of each item after I’ve personally used each item. But, it was important to me that we get this post up sooner v later so other new WAF mommas out there has this as a resource and didn’t have to get too deep in the rabbit hole that is registering baby products.

DOCK-A-TOT

This is the item that was the most consistently recommended by moms when I would ask what I needed to register for. I opted for the Deluxe size, but am already discussing purchasing the Grand for when our baby gets bigger. This is going to be great for lazy days, baby can hang in the Dock-A-Tot while I’m nearby working or doing chores, not to mention it’s a quick (and cozy…we have all tile floors in our home) place for me to change baby’s diaper without walking back to the nursery every, single time. It’s also PERFECT to help transition to tummy time, because the padding around the outside supports baby when it’s learning the ropes of neck strength. When you register for one of these bad boys, make sure to pass along our discount code (airforcewives10) and get 10% off!

We LOVE our Dock-A-Tot! I know this is an item that is very hit or miss with a lot of families, but we have definitely already gotten our money’s worth in just 6 weeks. It’s a great item to use for supervised naps when you’re trying to get things done around the house and need your hands free. I’ve put that bad boy next to the couch so I could do blog things, in the bathroom so I could shower and in bedrooms so I could fold laundry/clean all while Carmen just hangs out in dreamland. We love ours so much we bought the travel bag that goes with it and plan to take it on all of our trips this Summer!

WASHCLOTHS AND TOWELS

These were inspired by a very real and very laughable phone call to my mother. “Mom – this seems dumb to ask, but can we not just use regular bath towels for our baby, do we really need the little hooded ones…realistically how long can baby even use those?!” After a few minutes of us laughing, she hit me with some wisdom – no, you don’t need 15 of those cutie little hooded baby towels, although it is nice to have a few to use when baby is teeny tiny, they do grow out of them fairly quickly, so don’t be afraid to look for another, more long-term option. She did say that using traditional bath towels that we use as adults might not be as soft on baby’s skin, so if I was going to find an alternative, be mindful of that. Enter these washcloths and towels. They are SO SOFT and have amazing reviews from moms/dads. A huge plus, they’re bigger and will be usable through the toddler years with our kiddo!

Can’t recommend these enough!! The hooded towels are super cute and make for some fun pictures, but this girl is growing so fast those are already becoming to small to use. Plus, the towels and washcloths linked above are exponentially softer than the traditional “baby” ones I have.

BABY MERLIN’S MAGIC SLEEPSUIT

This little thing is what you use when baby is transitioning from a swaddle, because it still gives them the secure comfort of the swaddle without the safety concerns of swaddling a baby that has outgrown the swaddling method. Moms SWEAR by this thing, especially during those sleep regression phases. Jen’s little niece was the first baby I witnessed use this and that little angel baby LOVED it, so it was a much have for me with my nugget.

Haven’t used this yet, BUT that’s because she is still able to be swaddled. Once she starts rolling over we will 100% use this because swaddling her for sleep time has been a GAME CHANGER. If you haven’t heard about or looked into “Taking Cara Babies” for sleep tips/guidance, DO IT. Ask someone to buy you the bundle for newborns and the 3-4 month sleep regression. It gave my husband and I so much relief, mostly because we had a game plan when it came to sleeping. I’m happy to report that because of Taking Cara Babies we’ve successfully been able to teach Carmen to put herself to sleep and she’s sleeping solid 4-5 hours at night (most of the time). 

UBBI DIAPER PAIL

WAF moms were almost an even 50/50 split when it came to registering for a diaper genie, some raved about it being super handy to have right in the nursery, others said they didn’t find themselves using is often enough. We don’t have anywhere close to the nursery to toss soiled diapers, so I was on the hunt for something that would work when one WAF recommended this specific diaper pail. The beauty of this pail is that it uses standard trash bags (or you can buy a reusable cloth liner) whereas the traditional diaper genie requires specific brand bags.

Love this. Love that I don’t have to hassle with different bags, love that it traps the smell and love that it’s a sleek style. That’s a lot of love for a poop container, but it’s deserving of it!

BINXY BABY

This is one of those things I had no idea existed, but am already so grateful for. The thought of trying to grocery shop with a massive car seat in the middle of my grocery cart seems so inefficient. Enter the Binxy Baby. This little hammock fits in standard carts and provides a safe place for baby to hangout while you pile all those things you don’t really need, but do kinda need from Target into your cart. The best part? If your baby falls asleep in the carseat on the way to Target, you can put the ENTIRE CARSEAT into this little hammock and let baby enjoy it’s nap while you shop! At $50 for this item, it’s a perfect shower gift and something you know you’ll get a lot of use out of. Don’t even get me started on all of the cute pattern options, I love that they’re modern, neutral prints and not the standard bright/loud colors you see with most baby products.

We use this every single time we grocery shop. Right now we’ve only used it with her in her carseat, but I plan to put her straight into it once she’s a little bigger!

ERGOBABY OMNI 360

This thing is pricey, but amazing! It grows with baby (you can use this up to 2 years old!), allows for multiple carrying positions, is machine washable AND is super easy to use. A bunch of my WAF besties group gifted this to me, so you know it’s the real deal!!

Baby wearing is a lifesaver. Carmen loves this carrier and also loves her Boba wrap! Definitely register for these, and maybe a lighter weight wrap option as well because when it’s hot you want something extra breathable, those babies get TOASTY.

HATCH BABY REST

Alright, I have to admit, I found this item on Shark Tank. BUT so many mommas guided me to get some sort of a white noise machine for the nursery and  a light to use when you go in for middle of the night checks, feedings and changes – that way you don’t have to turn on the very bright overhead room light – that this seemed like a great solution for BOTH things. It can be completely controlled from an app on your phone or you can operate it from the item itself. It has multiple different sounds and light options which was extremely appealing to me because my plan is to use the light system as a sleep trainer as baby grows up!

We use this for most naps and every single night for bedtime! I would recommend also registering for a little portable guy that you can use with the carseat or if baby is napping in the Dock-A-Tot to keep things consistent for baby. I use this one and love it because it’s rechargeable. 

PACK ‘N PLAY

These have been around since the dawn of time it seems and there’s a reason for that, they’re great! Baby can sleep in these, so they’re a great item to have if you’re planning to travel a lot and unsure of what baby’s sleeping arrangements will look like when you get there. Also, you can pop these puppies up in your bedroom in the early weeks/months when you’re doing multiple nighttime feedings. Best part? Once baby grows, it’s a perfect playpen!

We haven’t used this yet, but we plan to use it when we travel! I’ll keep you posted!

OLLIE SWADDLE

I have no idea how to swaddle a child. No idea. And, I have no baby sized stuffed animals to practice on, so I’m already beyond grateful for this swaddle. It’s simple to use, grows with baby, and moms SWEAR by this swaddle helping their little cherubs get good sleep. The moisture-wicking material means it’s reducing the risk of baby overheating and the knotted bottom makes for easy diaper changes in the middle of the night! If you’re a new or expecting momma, get yourself one of these and make sure to give their Instagram account a follow, they will show you the safe ways to use the swaddle with babies at a variety of ages which has greatly reduced my swaddling anxiety! Yes, this is a transitional swaddle, so it’s worth the investment because it will grow with baby! Don’t worry ladies – we won’t leave you hanging! Tell your family and friends to use our discount code (WAF) at checkout to get 10% off of this incredible swaddle.

YES. Swaddling isn’t easy and our little wiggle worm got herself out of all of them every single time, but this bad boy keeps her nice and snug, PLUS it keeps her temperate. At first she would fuss when we’d use it, but with some tricks (thanks to Taking Cara Babies) she knows it’s time to snooze when we wrap her up and she doesn’t startle herself awake!

BABY MONITOR

This one was all over the place. So many different people recommended different things. My advice here is write down your must haves – do you mind if you phone is the screen for the monitor or do you want a standalone screen instead of having to rely on your phone? Do you want to be able to access the monitor from outside the home? Do you want video or is just audio OK? Do you want something that mounts over the crib or not? You get the point. Once you know what is important to you, then you can start narrowing down what options are good for you. We opted to use the Arlo Baby Monitor because we wanted to use our phones to check-in from within the house or when we are outside of it. We did also get a standard audio monitor to have and use on the chance the wifi craps the bed and we don’t have a monitor. Lots to think about, but a great item to register for because depending on what you want, they can be pricey!

Jury is still out here. We love our Arlo monitor, but can definitely see how inconvenient having the monitor only on your phone can be.  

WUBBA NUB PACIS

SO many moms told me to not just have one of these, but have multiples because they are lifesavers. The practicality of having the little stuffed animal attached to the paci makes it easier for baby to hang onto – reducing the amount of dropped, dirty and lost pacis. Their website has a bunch of cute designs, other places like Target and Amazon have only the standard elephant and giraffe.

These are the only pacis Carmen will take. We have 3 in our house (one stays by her crib, one in our living area and one in the diaper bag) and I would honestly by a few more to have at the Grandparents’ homes.

TRAVEL SYSTEM

This is another one of those items you’ll likely need to test out yourself. We wrestled around carseats and strollers in Target for a few hours until we found one we loved. It was important for me to have a travel system because we’re always on the go and I wanted something that was simple for me to plop the carseat into and cruise. Another priority was that it had to be something light enough that if I was traveling solo I wouldn’t be miserable trying to haul it all around. We opted for a Britax system that included the infant car seat, stroller and base for the car. This allows us to transfer the carseat from the base in the car to the stroller with literally ONE click. We also registered for an additional base (because they’re compatible with all Britax carseats) for my husband’s car, so when we’re at home, we have the ease of just popping the seat right into the base in either car and saving time. You don’t NEED the base to use the carseat in a car, it’s just more convenient/easier than going through the process without the base. Eventually we will have to get a convertible carseat for baby when they outgrow this one, something else to think about and register for!

SO nice and so convenient. I have no issue running errands solo because it’s that easy to use! 

BUMBO

Another great gift from some special WAFs in my life! This is a multifunctional chair that can be used alone as a floor seat for baby, strapped into a standard adult chair to be used as a highchair, or just used as a booster seat. It grows with baby and isn’t lined with a bunch of tough to clean fabric, so you won’t be scared to try baby’s first round of spaghetti in this chair.

Haven’t used this yet, because she has to be able to hold her head up on her own first, but there have been several instances where we’ve already wished we could use it.

ADDITIONAL THINGS I DIDN’T HAVE ADDED TO THIS POST, BUT HAVE FOUND SO USEFUL IN THESE EARLY WEEKS:

MULTIPLE CHANGING PAD COVERS OR A CHANGING PAD THAT YOU CAN EASILY WIPE DOWN (LIKE THIS ONE)

I cannot begin to tell you how many open air accidents we’ve had over here and I’m so grateful for a WAF friend that encouraged me to buy multiple changing pad covers. There’s nothing worse than trying to handle a middle of the night poop fest when you don’t have any clean covers (we have 3 and honestly, I wish we had just 1 more for those really interesting days ha!!)

TRAVELING BOTTLE WARMER

Not only have we used this several times out and about, we even use it at home when my husband does his middle of the night feeds. Super handy and perfect for breastfeeding or formula feeding moms!

PORTABLE DIAPER CHANGE KIT

This was a recommendation from my husband’s cousin and every single time we use it I send her praises. Before having a baby it seemed like I would see a changing table in every single restroom, after having a baby it seems like ZERO places have changing tables (and the ones that do are DISGUSTING)…enter this incredible kit that prevents me from putting my sweet baby’s buns on some gross changing table in a restaurant bathroom. 

CAR SEAT COVER/BREASTFEEDING COVER

People in public will see your sweet, brand new baby and want to touch him/her. This is terrifying, mostly because you have no idea who they are, where they’ve been and what they might pass onto your brand new (very vulnerable) baby. This car seat cover lets most know not to disturb baby AND it doubles as a breastfeeding cover if you’re in public needing to feed your cherub. Please understand, some people will still not respect the boundary you’ve tried to establish for your child…still be prepared to tell people no, or ask them not to touch. 

PUMPING CART

This was one of those things I’d seen on Pinterest and wondered how convenient it would really be. Let me tell you, it’s a lifesaver! All of my pump parts have a place, so I don’t have to race around the house gathering everything when it’s time to pump (which is especially nice if I’m trying to squeeze in a quick pump before we leave the house). I stocked mine with some sterilization bags (a great item to register for, they’re so handy to sterilize pump parts…especially on the road!), some of these cleansing wipes (again, a great registry item and perfect for travel…I sometimes am lazy and use these when I do my middle of the night feed instead of getting out of bed to rinse/wash everything), bottles of water (trust me you’ll get THIRSTY while pumping), a few snacks (mini cliff bars have been perfect for those desperate moments when I’m starving but don’t want to make/put together a snack), all of my pump parts (flanges, clean bottles, etc.) and my nipple butter (see my third trimester post for my recs).

There are a LOT of items you amazing WAFs recommended that didn’t make it to that post, and that’s simply because I didn’t want to overwhelm anyone. If something you swear by didn’t make it up here, please please please post it in the comments so other WAF mommas can check it out. You all are SO brilliant and helpful, I can’t thank you enough for making this pregnancy journey loads easier with your support and guidance!